New numbers released by the MN BCA for 2020 Uniform Crime Report statewide.
Minnesota recorded a 16.6 percent increase in violent crimes in 2020.
Most notably, there were 185 murders in 2020 in Minnesota compared to 117 in 2019, an increase of 58.1 percent.
After a significant downward trend over the past several years, arson rose 53.7 percent over 2019.
There were 710 arsons reported in 2020 and 462 in 2019.
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Motor vehicle theft rose 19.7 percent in 2020 with 13,662 vehicles stolen as compared to 11,410 in 2019.
The 2020 total is the highest since 2005.
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Bias crimes rose sharply in 2020 with 223 incidents reported – the highest number in 15 years.
Forty-one percent of the 2020 incidents were motivated by anti-Black or African American bias.
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There were 31 officer involved shooting incidents reported in 2020, an increase of six over 2019, and almost evenly split between the Twin Cities metro and Greater Minnesota.
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There were 667 incidents in 2020 where an officer (s) were assaulted in the line of duty.
This is a 62 percent increase over 2019, and more than any other year on record.
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There were 81 human trafficking-commercial sex crimes in 2020, down from 128 in 2019.
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The value of property stolen in 2020 topped $216 million, a 54.5% increase over 2019.
Some of the biggest increases were in the value of stolen food and grooming products, money and vehicles.
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USE OF FORCE DATA:
Agencies reported the following race information for use-of-force incidents.
White (21)
Black (14)
Unknown/Not Reported (5)
American Indian (3)
Asian (3)
The BCA's framing of this stat info is precious.
Further breakdown on "bias" crimes by bias motivation type and type of offense and race of the offender/suspect.
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Minneapolis Police Update Policy Regarding Authority in Immigration Matters
January 16, 2025, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced today that the Minneapolis Police Department policy related to Police Authority in Immigration Matters has been updated. The policy has been in practice at MPD for more than 20 years and clearly states the MPD will not be involved in the enforcement of federal immigration law.
Chief O'Hara said the policy update is designed to offer clear guidance to officers during a time when community concerns are particularly prominent. The updated policy includes revised language, adds a section on MPD U Visa/T Visa Certification, and provides examples of acceptable identification forms, such as foreign government-issued ID cards, consular identification cards, and national ID cards.
“I recognize that the fear of deportation prevents some people from calling police in times of need or to report crime," said Chief O'Hara. “I want to be clear that enforcement of civil immigration laws falls exclusively with the federal government—it is not the job of the MPD. Any participation in immigration enforcement would have a chilling effect on our commitment to bias-free, community-oriented policing. I also want to be clear that the MPD will continue to address any criminal behavior that threatens the safety or wellbeing of others—regardless of immigration status.”
The updated policy explicitly states that MPD does not operate its programs for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws. It also prohibits officers from questioning any person about their immigration status. This policy aligns with Minneapolis Ordinance § 19.30 which prohibits undertaking “any law enforcement action for the purpose of detecting the presence of undocumented persons, or to verify immigrations status,” with the narrow exception of enforcing criminal laws related to human trafficking and smuggling where immigration status is an element of the crime.
South Minneapolis - The encampment at E Lake St and Columbus is being closed down following a fire in the last hour.
@MplsWard9
Now another report of a fire near 14th and the Greenway with propane tanks exploding.
Police requesting response squads from other precincts.
14:10
2/
3/ Now day watch squads are being held over due to the drug encampments on fire. (that means police overtime that @MplsWard9 Jason Chavez loves to b!tch about). Congrats, Jason, you are responsible for police overtime.
SHOOTING. One who is shot showed up at the hospital. Supposedly occurred in 5th Precinct, south Minneapolis. No other details yet.
UPDATE: May have occurred at 35xx Grand Ave S.
2/ The suspect named in the shooting is the "neighbor from hell" we previously posted.
John Sawchak.
3/ NEW:
Crime Watch received a copy of home surveillance video showing the shooting of the neighbor on 35th and Grand Ave S on Wednesday, allegedly by John Sawchak, who is not yet in custody. The neighbor is still hospitalized with a bullet lodged near his spine.
Downtown Minneapolis - SHOOTING. At least three people are shot.
In front of the Pour House at 5th and Hennepin.
BM, tan sweater "00", ran from the scene.
Police requesting multiple EMS rigs.
02:02
2/ CPR started on at least one of the people shot.
A fourth person shot was found. (four confirmed so far).
Police are looking for a fifth person shot.
3/ Fifth person shot is now confirmed in downtown Minneapolis.
South Minneapolis - Overnight before 5 a.m., DOUBLE SHOOTING at the encampment. People shot in their heads. CPR on at least one, later pronounced deceased.
Corresponding Shotspotter activation.
Suspect: Native Mob gang member in a Jeep Cherokee, 30s, all red clothing, skinny
25xx 17th Ave S
But @MplsWard9 Jason Chavez and @MplsWard12 Aurin Chowdhury want to give people at drug encampments preferred status and make it harder to remove encampments.
3/ Pics from the scene of the double shooting at a south Minneapolis encampment this morning, where one died.